[An evaluation of the spatial morphofunctional characteristics of the presynaptic endings in the lateral area of the base of the dorsal horn].

A statistical stereological pattern allowing estimation of populational three-dimensional characteristics of cell elements on the basis of the analysis of their plain sections has been developed. Using such an approach a morphometrical electron microscopic study of presynaptic terminals (PTs) within the lateral areas of the dorsal horn of the cat spinal cord was carried out. The estimated distribution of PT volumes, PT axolemma areas, sizes of active zones (AZ) have been obtained. The mean number of AZs per a PT, parameters of AZ localization with respect to the terminal axonal expansion have been estimated. The data obtained are compared with the morphometrical estimations for the another PT population studied previously. The connection between the parameters estimated and functional features of the studied synapses are discussed.